Throwing A Outdoor Garden Tea Party *On A Budget*
When I first purchased my house three years ago, I discovered a hidden treasure in my backyard—a pergola covered in Wisteria vines. However, it wasn't until later that I learned about the breathtaking beauty of Wisteria flowers, which bloomed for just two weeks each year.
Last year during the wisteria bloom in my backyard, I was sad that no one was around to see how pretty it was, so I decided that I would throw an annual afternoon tea garden party for all my friends when the wisteria is in full bloom. This party comes with a pretty specific dress code, decor list, DIY dupes and thrifted hacks, so follow along as I take on tackling the first ANNUAL TEA PARTY in my backyard.
While the definitions of high tea and afternoon tea may have blurred, my vision for the Wisteria Garden Tea Party was clear—think spring attire, Alice in wonderland vibes, pastel hues, delicate decor, and delectable three-tier displays of both sweet and savoury treats.
Outfits
Fashion played a pivotal role in capturing the essence of the tea party. Being committed to thrifting and secondhand clothing, I creating an outfit inspiration board on Pinterest and took to online thrift stores to find unique and sustainable outfits, in pastel hues and delicate patterns. Trying all the dresses on made me feel like a character in a real-life fairytale.
I ended up picking a tea length blue floral dress with ruffles and bows…perfect for tea if you ask me!
Food
The menu was a crucial element of the tea party as well, and I sought the expertise of my friend Sarah, a master baker. Together, we brainstormed and taste-tested various options, ensuring a balance of savory bites, scones, and delectable sweets. The menu included cucumber and radish sandwiches, smoked salmon delicacies, pistachio pinwheels, lemon bars, and much more. Sarah completely CRUSHED the baking job out of the park and we ended up having the most delicious food for the party. For reference, the following is all the food and sweets we had at the party:
Check out some menu templates we have for sale here.
Decorations
I really wanted to make sure my backyard felt vibrant and inviting for the party so I revived some old plants, adding colourful flowers and even set up different sitting areas, every corner was covered with thrifted furniture and charming decor. I also asked for help from friends and neighbours, borrowing tables, chairs, tea cups, and tablecloths to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
In regards to the presentation of all the food Sarah baked, I decided to create my own three-tiered platters, and as you know, the thrift store is swarming with vintage colourful plates. I collected sets of three plates that matched in colour and/or pattern and transformed them into cake stands using a kit to convert them (linked here). The end result was a set of unique and adorable displays for our scrumptious treats.
Hosting
Through DIY decorations, thrifted fashion, meticulous planning, and the help of friends and neighbours; I created an experience that fused elegance with a touch of whimsy. It was truly a dream come true!
